'A true gent': Mr Banks' death has stunned family and friends and has led to a slew of tributes to the musician and sculptor, who is described as 'one of life's nice guys and a true gent'

A musician died as he tried to retrieve a set of keys he dropped down a drain.

Father-of-two, Andy Banks, had been out at a pub in Liversedge, West Yorkshire, on New Years Day and he is believed to have fallen down the drain.

The 49-year-old is believed to have been walking home to nearby Dewsbury when the accident occurred.

It is not known exactly how he ended up falling down the roadside drain but it is believed he may have taken the grate off the top and he fell when he reached down for the keys.

Police were called at around 12.16am to a street in Heckmondwike.

Mr Banks' family and friends paid
tribute to the musician and sculptor, who one described as 'one of
life's nice guys and a true gent'.

Police were called at around 12.16am on Wednesday to a street in Heckmondwike, and neighbours reported seeing about seven response cars, a video van and a winch at the scene along with a special rescue unit from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Team.

Friend Sharon Brogden had known him
for about 20 years, she said he was a sensitive and generous man who had
recently opened rehearsal rooms in Dewsbury for bands to practice in.

'That's
something he decided to do, because that's the sort of person he was,'
she said. 'He was very sensitive and very honest. I still can't get my
head round what's happened.

'It wasn't his time to go. He had everything going. Everything seemed to be going well,' she added.